Once a month we love to feature some of the puppies who have been adopted from Archview, and this month’s lucky pup is Stanley! Hear from Stanley’s mom, Julie from Missouri, about why they love him so very much!

Why did you choose an Australian Labradoodle?

“We chose a Australian Labradoodle because of their sweet and fun personalities. They are so smart and easy to train and they are low-to-non shedding which is a bonus.”

How did you know that Archview Labradoodles was the right breeder for your family?

“We did a lot of research and read a lot of reviews ! We chose Archview because of their reputation and the fact that they really love their dogs.”

What do you love most about your Archview Labradoodle?

“We love our sweet Stanley so much because he’s just become a part of our family! He has the sweetest and funniest personality. He’s a gem!”

What are your favorite things to do with your Archview Labradoodle?

“I don’t think there’s just one particular thing we like to do with Stan- he’s just a part of the family! He likes doing whatever we do whether it’s going for a run or traveling. He’s up for anything.”

What is your Archview Labradoodle’s favorite snack?

“Stan’s favorite snack or treat are Yak bones or his Bark Box treats.”

Looking to add a furry friend to your family? Don’t forget to see all of our available and upcoming litters under the puppies tab on our website. We would love to help you find your forever friend!

We have to find silver linings during these challenging times, and one of the biggest positives of being quarantined at home is getting to spend a lot more time with our furry friends! But what happens when this finally comes to a close and we have to resume our normal lives and return to the office each day? Your pooch might feel a little separation anxiety with a sudden change in schedule, especially if they are younger. Here are some things that you can do to help make the transition a smooth one!

Understand the Anxiety

What is separation anxiety and does your dog have it? Some dogs seem to love some alone time in their kennels, while others become so worried when alone that they can have destructive tendencies. The first step to curbing separation anxiety is to understand it!

There is no clear answer as to why some dogs have separation anxiety and some don’t. There is some research that shelter dogs tend to inherit these tendencies more, perhaps due to the stress of being abandoned, however pups who grow up in picture-perfect homes can also acquire some anxiety when their human family steps away! People oriented breeds definitely seem to be affected, and as we all know our Australian Labradoodles LOVE their families! So much so that sometimes being away from them is hard, especially when you have had the chance to spend months at home together.

So what are some signs of separation anxiety? There are many, and while these habits alone may just be your dog’s way of saying he is bored, combined they are a giant red flag that your pup might need some help!

• Excessive barking or howling
• Chewing or destructive behavior
• Escaping their enclosure frequently
• Excessive urinating or defecating in their space when fully potty-trained

Preventative Measures

The key to preventing your pup from developing some anxiety when it is time for your family to resume their normal routine is to prepare them ahead of time. One of the easiest and best things you can do for your pet is to spend some time away from them throughout the day. While you may not be able to go out and about like normal, you can place your pet in his/her kennel in another room or go out and take a drive, leaving your pet at home. Easing your pet back into their normal routine or teaching your new puppy that it is okay for you to be gone makes the abrupt change a lot easier for them to understand.

It is also important that you remind your dog that alone time isn’t all that bad! When you do leave your pup at home or in another room for their alone time, give them treat or a nice chew bone to enjoy. Condition your pet that kennel time can be a good time and never make their kennel or safe space a negative space. When it is time for them to be kenneled, make sure you aren’t rushing around to get them in their crate! Keep your energy calm and cool so that your pup adopts the same mentality.

But My Dog is Still So Anxious!

Some dogs just naturally have more anxious tendencies, but you can help them make great leaps and bounds with proper training and socialization! Before you go to crate your pet, take them on a walk or play a little fetch in the yard. It is easy to get caught up in the rush of the morning shuffle, but your pet might be too excited to wait patiently in their kennel for long periods of time without getting a little upset. Helping tire your dog out a bit will make it easier for them to rest while they wait for you to come home.

Give your dog some interactive toys and treats to enjoy while in their kennel so that their minds are kept occupied by something other than your absence. You can also play quiet music in the background or leave the television on so that they aren’t shocked by silence when your household is left empty.

If your pet is still struggling with anxious tendencies and their habits are extreme, it might be time to call upon a professional dog trainer to help train you and your pup how to handle your departure in a more positive light. Some homeopathic or medications are available to help dull your pup’s anxiety, but we recommend discussing these things with your vet and professional canine handler before jumping to those measures!

When you adopt a new puppy, one of the most important things you can do for it is to socialize it properly. Typically, we advise families to frequent dog-friendly facilities as often as possible to allow their puppy to be exposed to a variety of stimuli, but with concerns of COVID-19 (otherwise known as the coronavirus) running rampant, we have been advised to take on the practice of social distancing. How can you properly socialize your new addition when you need to stay away for your own safety? Don’t worry! We’ve got some suggestions for your family to try!

Adventure, With Caution

Your puppy cannot contract COVID-19, but you can! That is why you can continue your socialization adventures, but with caution. You can still expose your puppy to new sights and smells without coming in direct contact with others. Enjoy a walk around your neighborhood while keeping your distance from others, take your pup for a car ride and allow them to see everything from the window. Indirect interactions with these varying stimuli can be just as beneficial for your dog!

Plus for those of you who might be working from home or whose children are having to transition to online education, there is nothing better to break up your day than with a quick walk around the block!

Get Silly

Okay, so your puppy may not be able to meet a lot of new people, but you can play pretend! Have your family dress up in strange clothing and love on your puppy. Masks, hats, frilly dresses, noisy raincoats, and more. If your puppy seems cautious of one of these, expose them to it slowly so your pup feels safe and grows confident with this “new person” in front of them. You can even add some new body spray to your outfit to make yourself smell a bit different to your new furry friend.

Build Confidence

A confident pup is a pup who will thrive throughout his/her life! Spend your time social distancing by building up your pup’s trust in you and your family members. You can do this by teaching your puppy new tricks such as sit, stay and come. These tricks will not only ensure that your pooch is on his/her best behavior, but they will learn that you are a member of their pack and that they want to follow your guidance!

To get even more creative, build small obstacle courses in your backyard with obstacles your pup may not encounter every day. Pull out hula hoops to make jump-throughs, use toys to create mazes or walls for them to navigate, and hide treats for your pup to sniff out. Create a fun, engaging atmosphere for your dog to explore.

Real World Preparation

Your new dog may not be able to go to the vet, groomer or pet store right now, but you can prepare them for those experiences later! Now is the most critical time to introduce brushes, handling of feet and more to your little one. Handle your pup daily, including holding of the feet, tail and ears, get them adjusted to wearing a collar and walking on-leash, and see if your puppy will comfortably and confidently allow you to lay him down. Reward good behavior with lots of praise and treats! Some areas we recommend desensitizing to touch are:

• Feet and toes, especially the pads!
• Pick up legs, straighten them out (gently) and set the feet back down.
• Lift ears, rub the leather of the ear between your fingers, and gently rub inside the ear.
• Open your pup’s mouth, lift lips to examine teeth and run your fingers over the gums.
• Touch the edge of eyelids, but don’t touch the eye!
• Lift the tail up and down

You have to be cautious to protect your family’s well-being during these hard times, but you also want to invest the time into socializing your puppy for a stable future. Incorporate some of these safe and fun ways of socializing your puppy into your daily routine to ensure that he/she is happy and confident in his/hew new home!

We LOVE doing these Feature Friday posts and sharing success stories of previous adopters. This week we feature sweet Louisa, or Loui as her family calls her for short! Loui is a Tazy X Guus baby out of our Halloween litter from 2019! She lives in Madison, Wisconsin with her family, and today her dog-mom Sandy shares with us just why they love their Loui!

Why did you choose an Australian Labradoodle?

“We chose an Australian labradoodle based on understanding of the breed. We’ve always had Labradors and wanted to try a non-shedding dog with a similar temperament. Upon researching labradoodles we learned the Australian labradoodles have multi-generational breeding.”

How did you know that Archview Labradoodles was the right breeder for your family?

“We decide Archview was the right breeder because they were willing to consider specific personality characteristics we needed to have the best success with our current lab.”

What do you love most about your Archview Labradoodle?

“We love so much about Loui! We love her spirited, explorer personality the most. She is very smart and wants to learn. She LOVES playing with our four year old Lab, Stanley.”

What are your favorite things to do with your Archview Labradoodle?

“We love playing in our backyard and going on walks. We took her snow shoeing recently, and she loved it.”

What is your Archview Labradoodle’s favorite snack?

“Loui loves peanut butter!”

Wanting to complete your family with a furry friend? Head on over to our available puppies page to see which puppies are looking for their forever family!

It’s time for another Feature Friday post showcasing one of our adorable Archview grads! In this week’s post you will meet Goldy, a gorgeous Goldie/Derby baby, and her loving family from Illinois!

Why did you choose an Australian Labradoodle?

“Our girls had asked for a puppy for several years. We did extensive research in the search of the perfect family pet. The qualities that we loved best about Australian Labradoodles was that they were [low-to-] non-shedding, smart dogs, known for their great temperament, and adorable to top it off. ”

How did you know that Archview Labradoodles was the right breeder for your family?

“What I loved most about Archview Labradoodles when searching for our perfect puppy, was that they work very hard at socializing their puppies right inside their home. I loved that their children were a part of that socialization. Archview Labradoodles came highly recommended from multiple families with Archview grads, ensuring us that this was truly the right breeder for us. “

What do you love most about your Archview Labradoodle?

“Goldy has a very endearing personality. She loves all people and others immediately love her as well. Goldy is exceptional with children and is very tolerant of our toddler. She is smart and easily trained with consistency.  And Goldy’s coat is beautiful!”

What are your favorite things to do with your Archview Labradoodle?

“Goldy and the girls love to play keep away with a frisbee. We also love to take her for walks, play fetch and teach her new tricks. And, most of all, we love to cuddle Goldy.”

What is your Archview Labradoodle’s favorite snack?

“Goldy’s first choice of snack would be a Barbie or socks, but since those are not allowed, she prefers peanut butter as her snack of choice.”

Looking to dog just like Goldy to complete your household? You can see all of our available and upcoming litters under the puppies tab on our website. We would love to help you find your forever friend!

Valentine’s Day is typically known for candy hearts, beautiful roses and candlelit dinners. If you are ready to change things up a bit this year, we have compiled a list of some ways you and your four-legged friend can make this Valentine’s Day extra special!

Pups Leave Paw Prints on Our Hearts

Our pups can easily be the center of our household, and for some of us they are even like our children! Celebrate the love your special someone shares with the pup in their life by making a DIY gift they will cherish forever.

What better way to do that then by capturing the paw print of their furry friend forever in a sweet work of art? Keep it simple and have your pup “sign” your card this year by pressing their clean paw to a dog-safe pad of ink, or go all out with a paw print mold perfect for home decor! Your local craft store will have everything you need for either of these projects, and the best part? They are quick and easy, so you still have PLENTY of time to prepare!

One for Me, One for You!

If you enjoy spending time in the kitchen, why not cook something up for your significant other and the pup that they love so much? Bake some cupcakes or cookies for the human love in your life, and then give this easy doggy snack recipe a go for your other half! If you want an interactive evening, you could even bake these sweet treats together!

Homemade Peanut Butter Dog Treats

Ingredients

• 2/3 cup pumpkin puree
• 1/4 cup peanut butter
• 2 large eggs
• 3 cups whole wheat flour, or more, as needed

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Mix pumpkin puree, peanut butter and eggs in mixing bowl on medium-high, until well combined (usually 1-2 minutes). Gradually add 2 1/2 cups flour at low speed, beating until well incorporated. Add an additional 1/4 cup flour at a time just until the dough is no longer sticky.
3. Knead the dough (on a lightly floured surface!) 3-4 times until it comes together. Use a rolling pin to roll out to about 1/4 inch thickness. Use your favorite cookie cutters to make adorable shapes and then place on lined baking sheet!
4. Bake 20-25 minutes. Be sure to let them cool completely before sharing with your furry companion!

Date Night Has Gone to the Dogs

Does your special someone hate to be away from their pooch? We get it! We do too! If you know the person you are surprising would much rather be with their pup this evening then out at a fancy restaurant, here are some adorable options to incorporate your furry friend in the evening’s dinner plans:

• For this of you in warmer climates, plan a picnic on a scenic spot, complete with pup-friendly snacks to they can enjoy the fun as well!
• Find local restaurants with outdoor seating and bring your dog along for date night out.
• Cook a gourmet meal at home and make memories cooking together and sharing dog-friendly bits with the dog you love so much!
• Order a heart-shaped pizza (most pizza chains do this on Valentine’s Day!), cuddle up on the couch, and make Valentine’s Day a movie night, complete with dog snuggles!

What ways do you incorporate your dog’s in this special day’s festivities?

The time has come! You are ready to add an Archview Australian Labradoodle to your family. We are so excited to pair you with your new best friend! One of the most common messages we receive is, “I want to adopt a puppy, what comes next?” We thought we would take a moment to highlight your journey to puppyhood!

The Perfect Fit

How we match you to your perfect puppy depends on the circumstance. If you are applying for a reservation on a future litter, you will tell us your preference on both personality and looks, and we will select the best puppy for your family out of that litter. For more information on how we match a puppy to a family, click HERE.

Sometimes we have one or two puppies left from a litter who were available after all reservations were met. At this time we advertise these puppies on our website and social media with completed bios to help you get a feel for each puppy’s unique personality. If you see an individual puppy advertised that you are interested in, you will still follow the same adoption steps as if you were making a reservation! Just make sure you note in your application which puppy you are most interested in.

Want to know more about how to adopt an Archview pup? We’ve outlined the adoption process HERE.

Methods of Communication

We know that adopting a puppy is a huge commitment, and we love being an active resource to help you along your journey to puppy ownership! We love answering your questions, but ask that you follow these steps first:

• Check out our website AND our blog!
  • In order to best help our adopters, we have invested a lot of time and resources into the development of our website and blog. The majority of the most frequent questions we are asked are answered throughout these two resources. Please take a moment to glance through each tab and scroll through the pages of our blog. We have blogs on almost EVERY topic, and are constantly adding to it!
• Email is best!
  • To eliminate any confusion, we like to try and keep all communication via email! While Facebook messenger is a great resource for quick questions, we have a member of our team who manages this page that may not be able to answer your more specific questions. Please email all of your questions to info@archviewlabradoodles.com and we will get back to you as soon as possible!
• Family First
  • As you can imagine, we have quite a few emails that come through each day. Our family comes first, therefore we try to stick to office hours between 8AM and 5PM central time. We occasionally check emails outside of these hours, but those are the prime time for communication.
  • Remember- raising puppies is not a desk job! The bulk of our time is spent with our puppies and dogs, with short breaks where we are at the computer to correspond to emails. If you don’t hear back from us immediately, don’t fret! We will get with you ASAP!
  • With young kiddos who are extremely active, our weekends are usually pretty full with family time. Please know that your questions are very important to us, but if your questions come in on a weekend then it might be the following Monday before we are able to respond.

Proper Preperation

Getting your home and family ready for your new puppy is one of the most exciting things about adopting a dog! There are a lot of things to do and consider, but never fear! We have created a ton of puppy preparation resources to help make this process as fun and smooth as possible.

For information on transportation options, click HERE.

For general puppy preparation tips (such as what to buy or who to connect with), click HERE.

For information on picking the perfect diet for your new pooch, click HERE.

To learn how to puppy proof your home, read PART 1 and PART 2 of this blog series.

And that is not all! We have blogs about bathing your new puppy, training tips, grooming options and more. So be sure to read our blog for all of these awesome ideas and more!

With the new year on the horizon, we took the time to compile a list of 8 things we think you should do with your Australian Labradoodle in 2020! Let us know which one of these things you plan to add to your agenda!

1) Go for a Hike

Australian Labradoodles LOVE to run and play, what better way to spend time together then while on a hike? Find your nearest State Park, invite some friends and pack a lunch. Go enjoy the day with one another and soak up nature’s beauty!

2) Make a Puzzle for Your Pooch to Solve

One of the best things about Australian Labradoodles is their intelligence level! These dogs LOVE to play, and they especially love solving puzzles. So in 2020, dream up a whole new puzzle for your pooch to solve. Take cardboard boxes and build a maze, create a “hide-the-treat” toy that they have to navigate to get their favorite treats, or search the internet for other awesome ideas!

3) Host a Puppy Play Day

All dogs love the company of others, so we challenge you to host a puppy party in 2020! Celebrate your Archview Grad’s bday, host your own football “tail”gating party, or just get the neighborhood pups for a day at the dog park.

4) Take Your Dog to Work

For those of you lucky enough to have some flexibility at work, organize a bring your dog to work day so your pooch can see where exactly you go off to all day and then come home with those unusual smells. To make the day as seamless as possible, pack some treats, a water bowl, a puppy gate, their favorite bed and a toy or two so your pooch feels right at home.

5) Play in the Sprinkler

Most Australian Labradoodles LOVE the water, so why not make a fun day out of it? Set up a sprinkler in your backyard and enjoy romping in the rain with one another. Sometimes your local pools will organize a puppy pool day, so you can really capitalize on that love of water with one another!

6) Walk in a Parade

Does your community host local festivals with parades? Organize a puppy march and sign your pooch up! Toss out doggy treats instead of candy to all of the town puppers, you will be the new favorite dog mom or dad in town!

7) Go on a Pup-Cation

Everyone loves a good vacation, so why not organize one that your pups can go on? Rent a pet-friendly hotel room or cabin, or set up camp at your favorite local campgrounds. Plan activities that your pup can enjoy. If there is anything better than getting away from the responsibilities of life, it is doing it with your four-legged friend by your side.

8) Throw a Puppy BBQ

Do you love to grill? Your dog sure loves when you do, so why not have a puppy barbecue that your dog can enjoy? Invite your family and friends, cook up some yummy steaks or hot dogs and spend a fun afternoon with the ones you love. Bonus points if you make some “pupsicles” for all of the dogs to enjoy!

Kick off 2020 on the right foot by planning some of these new activities for you and your Archview Grad! Do you have other suggestions? Share them in the comments! Don’t have a pooch to enjoy these activities with? We can help you with that! Take a look at all of our available and upcoming puppies HERE.

Christmas is the time that we gather together as friends and family and celebrate with one another! Some people choose to bring a new puppy into the mix at this time. While this can be a controversial topic online, we think that a puppy can be an excellent gift for someone who has thoroughly considered the responsibilities of a new dog. Thinking about adopting a puppy for a holiday surprise? Here are some things to keep in mind!

Puppies Never Stay Puppies

As cute and cuddly as puppies are, they don’t stay that way long. Puppies grow up to be “preteens,” and soon after full-grown dogs! A puppy is a lifelong commitment that can live for upwards of ten years with proper care. So when you are thinking of investing in a puppy as a gift, make sure you are doing your research.

If you have had a puppy before, then you know what you are signing up for. If this will be the first time this person has had a puppy, however, this can be a hard time of year to balance that responsibility and the holiday festivities. Puppies can sometimes be a bit cantankerous and love to throw late-night parties in their kennels or declare your favorite pair of shoes as their new chew-toy. Keep in mind that getting a new puppy is not always sunshine and rainbows! Puppies require a lot of hard work and dedication, but they are totally worth it in the end.

The Gift of a Puppy is One That Keeps On Giving

A puppy can easily become a beloved member of your family, which is why they can make such a special Christmas surprise! Your family will cherish the many wonderful memories with your new addition, including the surprise of realizing they have a new furry friend on Christmas morning.

Puppies can also give you some other… unanticipated gifts.. such as the gift of vet visits or yellow stains on the carpet. These are the not so pretty sides of puppyhood that you don’t often see shared online. It is important to remember that whoever is on the receiving end of this puppy will also need to maintain a certain quality of life for their new addition. Veterinary care, grooming costs, training fees, special diets if needed, and more can rack up over the years. If the person who you are wishing to gift a puppy to is not ready for that financial commitment, a puppy can sometimes be more of a burden then a blessing.

However, if this person has done their research and has been dreaming of their own Australian Labradoodle for some time now, this gift can be life-changing! Many of our puppies have gone on to be wonderful companions, therapy dogs, and athletes! The Australian Labradoodle is a wonderful dog for many lifestyles, and their happy-go-lucky attitudes really mesh well with most family types.

The Things You Don’t Consider

When you purchase or adopt a puppy, you think mostly happy thoughts. The things you don’t always consider are the late nights potty-training, the need for a dog-sitter when you go out of town, the cost of building a fence or investing in training, etc. While this might sound daunting, it doesn’t have to be. But you do need to have a plan for the things you don’t always consider.

If you want to get a puppy as a present this Christmas, ask yourself these questions:

• Will you or someone else be able to assist with the training and socialization of this puppy? Or will it fall solely on the person you are gifting the puppy to?
• If the person you are gifting the puppy to is no longer able to care for this puppy, financially or due to life-changing circumstances, are you prepared to give this puppy a loving, forever home?
• Is this person home enough to care for a puppy on their own, or do they have a support system behind them to let the puppy out for frequent potty breaks, take them on walks, etc.
• Does this person have the financial stability to care for a growing puppy? What about if the puppy were to get sick or have an accident, could the person provide the necessary veterinary care?
• Has this person researched what type of puppy that they would like and understand the requirements that come along with adopting an Australian Labradoodle such as grooming, etc?

If you answered no to any of these questions, now might not be the right time to surprise a loved one with a puppy- and that is okay! A new puppy should be a well-thought-out decision, and we are here to help you with that! However, if your family has taken all of these things into consideration, a Christmas puppy could be the perfect way to bring cheer to your household this year!

A confident puppy is a happy puppy, and happy puppies make happy owners! Here are a few tips and tricks that will help you build your puppy up to be full of confidence.

Socialization is Key

We talk about socialization A LOT in our blog, because there is no better way to set your puppy up for success than to socialize. We dive into good socialization practices in-depth here, but some great pointers are to:

• Take your puppy to new places often! Let them sniff new smells, experience new sights, and be loved on by countless strangers! Just steer clear of areas with heavy dog traffic until their parvo vaccinations are finished.
• Show your puppy the scary stuff early on. Blow dyers, cars, washing machines, vacuums, anything that might be spooky to your pet should be introduced earlier rather than later.
• It is not just sights and sounds that can be scary, smells and unusual textures can also be frightful for your pup.
• Let them mingle! Your pup should meet new people, new dogs and new animals often when they are young.

Send Them to School

Just like kiddos, your new puppy will gain a ton of confidence by learning and understanding new tasks and tricks. We HIGHLY recommend that all of our adopters utilize the services of a certified dog trainer. Your puppy will grow more confident each day by understanding what you want from them.

We like for our puppies to learn the basics early on, such as sit, come, stay, kennel, etc. Your certified dog trainer will help guide you along the path of training your puppy. When your puppy learns a new command, you can use this command to help expose them to anything that might be scary to them. For example, if you and your puppy are enjoying a hike in the woods and another dog startles them, you can use your “come” command to bring them back to you. Follow that with a “sit” and “stay” and you can introduce the new dog to your puppy in a safe environment, all-the-while keeping them more comfortable because they are by your side.

One of the most fun parts about training your puppy is that you can make games out of their training! This not only builds the bond between you and your pup, but allows them to grow more confident in their knowledge of their new life.

Find a Furry Mentor

Just like humans, dogs learn from one another. When we want to learn something new or feel comfortable in a new environment, we seek out a mentor to help guide us through the process. You can do the same thing for your dog, even if you are a single-dog home.

Find a friend with an older dog who exudes confidence and schedule plenty of play-dates! Your puppy will learn all about life during his/her time with the other dog. Go on walks, play in the backyard, introduce new scenarios all with the comfort of another canine in the room. Your pup will love having a furry friend around, and you will find that they are not as wary of new situations if their friend isn’t!

Be Patient and Kind

No matter how hard you try, something will most likely spook your new puppy. The most important thing is that you remain patient with him/her and guide them through the exposure process in a kind manner. Throwing your dog into the deep end will never set them up for success.

Dogs pick up on our tone and body language, so as you encounter things that seem to make your dog a bit wary, approach it with kindness and confidence. Give your puppy the time he or she needs to inspect the situation that causes them worry. Never force your dog into something that makes them uncomfortable.

There are so many ways to help make your puppy grow into a confident dog! Be sure to read back through on our previous blogs for more ideas on how to expose your puppy in a safe and secure environment!